Interview with George Sprugel, March 11, 1985

Segment Synopsis: Interview with George Sprugel of Champaign, IL on March 11th, 1985.

Partial Transcript: In the late 1960s, the Ecological Society of America was conducting a study on the advisability of establishing an institute of ecology.

Segment Synopsis: Sprugel recalls how the study committee thought that ecology should be doing more than it was already doing. He said individual ecologists had greater potential as a group, so the Institute was a good idea.

Keywords: Congress; Ecological Society of America; The Institute of America; ecological legislation; ecology; membership

Partial Transcript: Concerns were expressed that the proposed Institute would compete with research efforts at Universities.

Keywords: Competition; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; Universities

Subjects: George states that at the time the Institute was being discussed, competition wasn't a problem because they were talking about broader issues early on. However once TIE evolved, Sprugel believes that competition did indeed become a problem.

Partial Transcript: I think it did become a problem.

Segment Synopsis: Sprugel explains despite the great value of TIE's network model, how it wasn't utilized. He later states how the administration didn't really do their part in promoting the use of the network to advance the organization.

Keywords: Assembly; Founders; Model; Network; Sponsors; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; Value of Network

Partial Transcript: Could we talk a little about the funding problems?

Segment Synopsis: Sprugel indicates that debt was the main cause of TIE's financial trouble, and how once the Institute was reborn, it had a good chance to survive through grants and sponsors.

Keywords: Debts; Financial Problems; Funding; Objectives; TIE; The Institute of Ecology